Two hours or less east of Southern California’s coast, Palm Springs gained its reputation as “Playground of the Stars” in the 1920s. Its proximity to Hollywood while still being relatively remote made it an ideal escape.

Today, tourism has taken away some of the mystery and privacy that Hollywood’s elite enjoyed so much in the past, but there is still an allure to the area. The fascinating desert modernism architecture and countless local art galleries provide pleasure for anyone with an aesthetic inclination. Even the busiest areas have an essentially small-town vibe that welcomes you and tempts you to stay a while. The surrounding mountains and desert landscape provide a playground for all things outdoors, especially hiking and cycling. Best of all, this retreat from the busy coast is perfect to visit during the winter months, when you can relax by the pool and let the warm desert sun dry your worries away.

We’d like to thank the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism at www.visitpalmsprings.com for their assistance with providing photos and resources for our visit to Palm Springs.

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Date palms are ubiquitous in Palm Springs, and the mild-flavored fruit can be found in sweet and savory dishes in restaurants throughout the area. One traditional way to beat the heat in Palm Springs any time of year is with a milkshake made with dates – a date shake. While several spots in Palm Springs may brag about their date shakes, few can compete with the shake served at the deli inside of Hadley Fruit Orchards. The recipe below comes from their website.

With more than 100 courses and warm, sunny winter weather, golfers flock to Palm Springs for challenging play set in some of the most picturesque landscapes imaginable. Whether you want to play with the pros, compare some of the sports’ best designers at various courses or just have a little fun, you’ll find your dream golf experience in Palm Springs.

The Palm Springs Air Museum gives an up close look at what all aspects of life in WWII were like, from the weapons and uniforms of various branches of the military to the typical food and types of entertainment sent from home. Floor-to-ceiling maps cover walls in the two spacious hangars showing locations of significant events, and multimedia displays use photographs, video and audio to give visitors even more details of the servicemen’s lives.

One of the first tourist attractions in Palm Springs is still perhaps one of the most spectacular. Mt. San Jacinto towers over the desert town, its snowy peaks in the winter contrasting with the balmy weather below.

Palm Springs’ dining options fall into a variety of categories from casual to upscale, traditional American fare to modern takes on international flavors and basic comfort food to complex plates and presentations.

Some restaurants aim to keep alive the vibe of dishes served to Palm Springs’ old Hollywood crowd, while some want to keep up with the latest culinary trends while using fresh and local ingredients. Regardless of where they fall on that spectrum, Palm Springs’ best restaurants never lack character.

Two hours or less east of Southern California’s coast, Palm Springs gained its reputation as “Playground of the Stars” in the 1920s. Its proximity to Hollywood while still being relatively remote made it an ideal escape.

Today, tourism has taken away some of the mystery and privacy that Hollywood’s elite enjoyed so much in the past, but there is still an allure to the area.

Points of Interest in Palm Springs, California

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